All, please be advised that twice is as many days my family has been the target of what appears to be some sort of scam. The first occurrence was at Lakewood Hardware where a person named David stopped in and told me that I should remember him from a past visit asked me at 8:30am if if could cash a check for him with no ID for the reason that he left his wallet containing his ID and credit cards in his boat at the islands, he proceeded to inform me that Convenient Food Mart across the street would have cashed it for him but it was early and they did not have the funds to do so. I informed David that I had the same situation then he suggested that I help him with enough money to get him to Avon, I declined his second offer also. Today at Cuttin Loose Hair Salon my wife Chris was approached by David and he informed her that she had the opportunity to meet him sometime ago and continued with the wallet, boat, ID check story with the twist that the Convenient Food Mart next door could not cash his check this afternoon for the reason that they had to pay all the delivery people and had no cash, she declined based upon having heard the same story as told by myself last evening. I took the time to confirm the part of the story with the owners of the Convenient store and after relaying the circumstances of the story it was told to me that the supposed offers of help from them had never happened. My wife having a greater presence of mind than I got his license number and make of car: White Nissan Maxima Lic# DZE-9847.
Please use this information any way you deem fit just understand you have greater potential to be making a donation rather than a short term loan.
Potential Scam
Moderator: Jim O'Bryan
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Glenn Palmer
- Posts: 124
- Joined: Sat Apr 22, 2006 8:50 am
- Location: Lakewood
- Contact:
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Kevin Galvin
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:35 am
Mr. Palmer,
I had to smile as I read the beginning of your post because as you may recall, we met the other morning at about 8:30. (I am the flu cover guy)
Anyway, I would suggest you call the non-emergency police number (216-521-6773) It is probable that the check would have been bad but since you were alert enough to not give him a chance, the police will take what is called a suspicion report. In essence, they will take the info you and your wife have and the officers at roll call will be given the info on the car and the male. Further, they will run the plate and check for a record or for warrants. I would be willing to bet that you are not the first people this male approached with this scenario.
Even if there are no warrants for this person, a cop will pull him over if he is spotted and he will get the message that Lakewood would not be the place to try it as he has already been identified.
This is one of those instances where you can't numerically prove the value of crime prevention because there is no way of counting the cirmes he might have commited had he not been confronted by LPD. You'll just have to take my word for the fact that he probably won't stop being a criminal, but he will certainly go elsewhere.
BTW, you can let police dispatch know that you realize no crime was committed, but that a retired guy suggested you let them know so that the officers at roll call would be aware. Your welcome to use my name if needed but I certainly doubt that it will be necessary.
On a private note, you'd be amazed how many people said "flu cover, so that's what they're called."
I had to smile as I read the beginning of your post because as you may recall, we met the other morning at about 8:30. (I am the flu cover guy)
Anyway, I would suggest you call the non-emergency police number (216-521-6773) It is probable that the check would have been bad but since you were alert enough to not give him a chance, the police will take what is called a suspicion report. In essence, they will take the info you and your wife have and the officers at roll call will be given the info on the car and the male. Further, they will run the plate and check for a record or for warrants. I would be willing to bet that you are not the first people this male approached with this scenario.
Even if there are no warrants for this person, a cop will pull him over if he is spotted and he will get the message that Lakewood would not be the place to try it as he has already been identified.
This is one of those instances where you can't numerically prove the value of crime prevention because there is no way of counting the cirmes he might have commited had he not been confronted by LPD. You'll just have to take my word for the fact that he probably won't stop being a criminal, but he will certainly go elsewhere.
BTW, you can let police dispatch know that you realize no crime was committed, but that a retired guy suggested you let them know so that the officers at roll call would be aware. Your welcome to use my name if needed but I certainly doubt that it will be necessary.
On a private note, you'd be amazed how many people said "flu cover, so that's what they're called."
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Glenn Palmer
- Posts: 124
- Joined: Sat Apr 22, 2006 8:50 am
- Location: Lakewood
- Contact:
I have already spoken with an officer and gave him the details, they know his mane and etc. The officer even gave me the his stature from what was listed on the owners license. I just hope that my post might give someone a little insight into what happened to us.
P.S. I hope the you were informed that the cover is due 1 week from today.
Thanks for the advise and business
P.S. I hope the you were informed that the cover is due 1 week from today.
Thanks for the advise and business
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Kevin Galvin
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:35 am
Sorry, was editing my spelling and missed your response. I should have realized that you would have called them. Excellent idea in posting here. I ran our crime prevention for several years and we always struggled with ways to "get the word out" when info like this came out.
This type of info doesn't have the news impact that would get an article in the PD or a even a short blurb on the radio. With the new radio station for Lakewood emergency news and the community channel on cox maybe we could start something there and the info about it could get put on the water bill. Oh well, just my two cents. Any candidate that wants to tweak it a little and run with it, feel free to take credit.
This type of info doesn't have the news impact that would get an article in the PD or a even a short blurb on the radio. With the new radio station for Lakewood emergency news and the community channel on cox maybe we could start something there and the info about it could get put on the water bill. Oh well, just my two cents. Any candidate that wants to tweak it a little and run with it, feel free to take credit.